Saint Vincent's Holds 2nd Annual Summer Celebration

July 1, 2010 by Saint Vincents Home

Pictured from left to right: Joseph T. Baptista, Jr., President and CEO of Mechanics Cooperative Bank; Deborah Grimes, Senior Vice President and HR Director at Mechanics Cooperative Bank; Jack Weldon, Executive Director of Saint Vincent’s.

On Friday, June 25th under a clear, crisp evening sky, Saint Vincent’s held the 2nd Annual Kick-Off To Summer Celebration on the deck of the Battleship Massachusetts at Battleship Cove in Fall River. Approximately 250 guests enjoyed a gourmet dinner prepared by Cuttyhunk Shellfish Farms, Inc., BCC Department of Culinary Arts, Lafrance Hospitality Company, Ma Raffa’s, Mesa 21, Trio Café and Lounge, Waterfront Grille, Green Mountain Coffee, Cinderella Bakery, Diman Tea Room, and Sysco Foods. Complimentary beer and wine was provided by Quality Beverage and Running Brook Vineyard & Winery.

The celebration, marking the “un-official” start of the summer season and overlooking Fall River’s waterfront, was sponsored by Mechanics Cooperative Bank. By the end of the evening under a brilliant full moon, nearly $57,000 was raised to benefit youth in Saint Vincent’s Life Skills Program who are transitioning to independent living and young adulthood. Saint Vincent’s youth who are aging-out of care and transitioning to independent living are provided with the skills and tools necessary to complete their education, obtain employment, and live as productive adults within society.

Jack Weldon, Executive Director of Saint Vincent’s, presented the Chairperson of the Summer Celebration, Deborah Grimes, Senior Vice President and HR Director at Mechanics Cooperative Bank, with a bouquet of flowers and thanked her for her dedication and unwavering commitment to Saint Vincent’s children, youth, and families. Mr. Weldon also thanked Joseph T. Baptista, Jr., President and CEO of Mechanics Cooperative Bank by presenting him with the Champion of Youth Award on behalf of all the youth served at Saint Vincent’s. The award recognized Mechanics Cooperative Bank for strengthening the community in which we live, work, and play, for giving youth the tools to succeed, and for providing them with hope for a brighter future.

Mr. George Oliveira, Executive Vice President and Division Head at Citizens-Union Savings Bank accepted the Friend of Children and Families Award from Mr. Weldon in recognition of the bank’s sponsorship of the evening’s entertainment: Compaq Big Band and celebrity emcee Billy Costa, host of NECN’s TV Diner.

Exclusive Silent and Live Auctions featured over 55 items including Boston Red Sox tickets, New England Patriots tickets, golf packages, destination packages, jewelry, wine, art, and a tour of the NECN Studio and taping of TV Diner. Guests played a game of Heads or Tails for a trip to San Francisco which included two (2) roundtrip tickets aboard Southwest Airlines and a 4-night, 5-day stay at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in downtown San Francisco. The 15-piece Compaq Big Band provided the music for dancing.

Mechanics Cooperative Bank was the Presenting Sponsor of the Kick-Off To Summer Celebration. Citizens-Union Savings Bank was the Entertainment Sponsor. Patron Sponsors included Dominion, Kiewit Construction, Lafrance Hospitality Company, Long Built Homes, and Webster Bank. Participating Sponsors were Advanced Alarm Systems, BankFive, Bristol County District Attorney C. Samuel Sutter, the Diocese of Fall River, East Commerce Solutions, Mr. & Mrs. Edward M. Lambert, Jr., Jarabek Family Charitable Foundation, Pelham Community Pharmacy, Mr. Albert B. Staebler, and St. Anne’s Credit Union. Media Sponsors included Comcast Spotlight and WEEI Sports Radio while the Cable Media Production Sponsor was Benaruz Media. The Design Sponsor was Orange Square, and the Print Sponsor was Professional Business Solutions.

About Mechanics Cooperative Bank
With total assets of $380 million, Mechanics Cooperative Bank offers a wide variety of personal and business deposit and loan products, including its “Mortgage in a Minute” online mortgage service. And as a Massachusetts co-operative bank, 100% of customers’ deposits are fully insured. Established in 1877, Mechanics Cooperative

Bank is Massachusetts’ second-oldest co-operative bank. Following the recent merger with Lafayette Federal Savings Bank, the bank now has eight conveniently located branch offices in Taunton, North Dighton, Bridgewater, Fall River, Somerset, Swansea, and Westport. For more information, call 888-MECHANICS (632-4264) or visit www.Mechanics-Coop.com

About Saint Vincent’s
For 125 years, Southeastern Massachusetts has turned to Saint Vincent’s to provide children and youth between the ages of 4 and 21 - and their families - with a safe, positive nurturing environment and programs and services to meet their daily needs. Saint Vincent’s is accredited by the Council on Accreditation for Services to Children and Families, identifying Saint Vincent’s as achieving the highest standards of professional practice for a child welfare organization in group living, residential treatment, and respite care services. Saint Vincent’s Mission is Giving Children and Families in Need What They Need Most. For more information, please visit Saint Vincent’s website at www.stvincentshome.org or contact Melissa Dick at 508/235-3228.